The Summit Registration is OPEN!
Virtual: CEUs will be offered for this training. QIDPs, Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Nursing Home Administrators, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists signing in and out on the day of the event are entitled to credits.
Gloria Cotton
Gloria (Glo) is an organizational development consultant, keynote speaker, and facilitator who helps people fall in love with themselves so they can be and do their best. With over 30 years partnering with corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations, she brings what clients call “grandmother energy meets boardroom excellence”—bold, warm, practical, and unapologetically real. Gloria creates interactive learning experiences where C-suite leaders, teams, and professionals in transition discover their treasure instead of hunting for problems, navigating challenges with straight talk, respectful curiosity, and surprising joy. Her work begins with affirming the inherent value of human beings and ends with practical, SMART goals that stick. Whether facilitating truth-telling conversations about bias, building high-performance teams across diverse geographies, or helping leaders be authentic in a world of fakery, Gloria distinguishes between humanity (what we do) and humanness (who we are)—celebrating the second to secure excellence in the first. A published author, vocal performing artist, and community leader with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, she promises transformation, measurable results, and if you’d like—there’s always a hug in your future, if you want one.
Saba Haider
Saba was elected to the DuPage County Board as a Commissioner in November 2024 with 40,330 votes, Saba made history as the first Indian American ever to be elected to the DuPage County Board in its 200 year history.
Saba is a small business owner, a public servant, and a community advocate. She serves on key county committees, including Strategic Planning (Chair), Environmental (Chair), Ad-Hoc Housing Solutions (Co-Chair), Economic Development, Finance, and Judicial & Public Safety.
Saba also serves on the Public Health Board of the DuPage County Health Department. She is the Director of IPEF – Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, the non profit arm of school district 204. She also serves as the Chairperson and Co-Founder of the Will & DuPage Counties Democratic AAPI Caucus.
She immigrated from India 18 years ago. Her background includes a master’s degree in Wildlife Science and leadership roles in nonprofit, educational, and health sectors.
Russell Lehmann
Russell is a charismatic activist, motivational speaker, and acclaimed author and poet for autism, mental health, and disabilities. He is the International Disability Rights Advocate at UCLA’s Tarjan Center for Disabilities and captivates audiences with his powerful message of acceptance and resilience. Lehmann’s work has had a positive and life-changing impact on many, and his advocacy and activism have helped to increase understanding and support for individuals in the disability community. Russell’s talent lies in several areas, showcasing his diverse skills and abilities to deliver impactful, educational, and encouraging presentations that incorporate a range of emotions and perspectives, including significant elements of candor and humor.
Russell has emerged as a beacon of inspiration. He shares his intense and painful personal journey of being diagnosed with autism at the age of 12 after 5 weeks in a lockdown psychiatric ward for severe OCD and phobias. These struggles, on top of a lack of support, compassion, and understanding led him to withdraw from the world for the next 15 years resulting in prevalent isolation. Russell has transformed his unique experiences into a compelling narrative that challenges stereotypes, fosters understanding, and shifts perspectives.
Russell is a dynamic and engaging keynote speaker who captivates audiences with his authentic storytelling. His keynotes leave a lasting impact, offering deeply reflective insights into the complex world of autism and mental health, while encouraging empathy, sincerity, and inclusivity. A powerful poet, Russell performs spoken word throughout each presentation that presents a unique vehicle to the audience to provoke deep thoughts. Russell’s multifaceted talents have allowed him to reach a wide audience and make a significant impact in the numerous areas of inequity throughout society, and his ability to engage and inspire audiences showcases a talent for connecting with people on a deep and meaningful level. His global reach continues to make waves, shaping perceptions and challenging societal norms.
Katie Mitten, LMSW
Katie has over ten years of experience managing projects and programs that promote the health and safety of Texas children and families. As Director of Cross Systems Integration on the Children’s Specialty Healthcare team, Katie provides vision, direction and coordination on projects that aim to better integrate systems to support the wellbeing of children and their families and leads a portfolio of work focused on supporting youth with developmental disabilities and their families. Prior to joining the Meadows Institute, Katie served patient families and community members by providing information and training on child safety for the Safe Kid Austin Coalition through Dell Children’s Medical Center. In previous positions Katie worked for Texans Care for Children as a Health Policy Associate leading the organization’s health and early childhood intervention legislative priorities, served as a data analyst and program improvement specialist for Austin Child Guidance Center, and started a statewide AmeriCorps VISTA program at food banks across Texas to connect food bank clients to health and economic opportunities through Feeding Texas. She values community service and was also an AmeriCorps member for two years. Katie received her Master of Science in Social Work with a concentration in Community and Administrative Leadership as well as her Bachelor of Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin.
Kim Shontz, LCSW
Kim is the Director of the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN). ICPN provides support service teams funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities experiencing behavioral and/or medical challenges in their current residential setting across the state. Kim previously served as the deputy director of the Behavioral Health program at Trinity Services, providing residential and psycho-social rehabilitation day program services supporting people dually diagnosed with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.